A BRIEF Discourse of certain Baths or medicinal Waters in the County of Warwick near unto a village called Newnam Regis.  
1587.   

THE benefits no doubt are great and manifold which almighty God of his large bounty & exceeding goodness of late years hath plentifully bestowed upon this little soil of England, since the prosperous reign of our most gracious Sovereign, wherein the Gospel hath sincerely and freely been preached▪ in whose time many & strange events have happened, to the great benefit of this country. For who have not in admiration our long continuance of peace and tranquillity, our neighbours all round about us being in continual wars? Who doth not marvel at our plenty and abundance of all things? It is miraculous in the judgement of the world, that so many strange stratagems practised by evil disposed persons, as well to subvert our quiet estate, as to take from us our most Sovereign Lady and Queen, far beyond the capacity of man, as it were with God's finger and power only, have been from time to time overthrown & brought to nought. Infinite more tokens may particularly be recited, by the which men may justly gather arguments of Gods well pleased mind with the government of our most gracious Queen; amongst the which the baths and medicinal waters of late years discovered in sundry parts of England, are not of least moment: for most men yet living can witness of many rare and strange cures done by sundry wells heretofore unknown: which may make manifest to the world that God is well pleased, and in that respect hath blessed this our country far more than other nations: and are as it were plain arguments, to bring other princes to embrace the Gospel, to root out all superstition and idolatry, to plant in their country's true religion out of God's book, and above all things, to seek God's glory and his kingdom. And it is not altogether a vain conjecture, to think that God in these days miraculously revealed wells and springs of medicinal waers never known before, to work effects strange and marvelous in our sights, thereby to induce all men to for sake such puddle pits which man's devise hath digged, and drink only of the clear fountains of his word, thence only to fetch remedy for our diseased souls. The baths of bath and Buckstan for their antiquity and long proof in times past, are of great fame, and no doubt as of more efficacy than others, may justly most be accounted of: nevertheless many other waters in England of late years discovered, have the testimony of experience by sundry effects, and rare cures done by them, to have no small medicinal power, as by the events in sundry diseased people receiving remedy by them, hath been made manifest. Amongst the which the wells in Warwickshire nigh a village called Newnam Regis, have had most credit, by the use of which great numbers of people have found help beyond their expectation, which yet living, do and will bear testimony thereof: and no doubt many and rare virtues and qualities are in them far beyond common waters, as will appear by diligent search of their minerals. If any shall object or seek cause, why so many and so strange events supposed to be done at the first by these waters, the like are not now, nor have not of late years been performed. Surely this came not by means of defects in the nature of the waters, but rather by the great abuse of them, For at my being there, I found great concourse of alsorts of people affected with sundry and dissident diseases, which all in one manner used these waters, both inwardly and outwardly, without counsel or any just consideration, carried away with opinion, as it seemed, that the faculties and virtues of them, were supernaturally given from God without any ordinary means, and so the use of the same not to depend of any order or advise of Physic, but that it was sufficient by any means to use them. Much like unto the superstition of our forefathers, which in old time accounted their pilgrimages, and the vowing of a penny to some one saint or other, or the dipping of a cloth in bathe waters, to be sufficient for the curing of any of their maladies. And by these means the natures and qualities of these bath waters not considered, nor the constitutions and temperaments of the parties weighed, many received more hurt than good. For in truth every medicinal water doth not cure every infirmity, nor every man is to use every bathe: but these things are to be distinguished, and so considered of by the learned, that the bathe may be apted to the disease, and be agreeable to the party diseased. And amongst our countrymen, this is in truth a great fault: that when a thing is known to do good to many, we straightways generally proceed in the use of it, without respect of difference of parties or of affects, as if one shoe might serve for every man's foot, that we cease not from abusing of the same, until many bad successes have bred discredit to the thing: as of late hath appeared by the abuse of Mechoacan and divers other Indian and foreign medicines. The consideration hereof occasioned me to think it not altogether a vain labour, to write somewhat of the most famous baths and medicinal waters in England, wherein I traveled as well in those of bath & Buckstan, as in others. And have an intent to publish the same, But upon occasion of the marvelous effects a few years passed done by those wells in Warwickshire, not only heard but also seen by myself, through persuasion of some of my friends, I spent more time in trial and examination of them, than in the others, and so did wholly put mine endeavours for the discovery of their minerals, natures, and properties, and withal to set forth in what diseases and bodies the same are most convenient, not omitting the true use of them, when they are either inwardly to be drunken, or outwardly to be applied. Which in very deed I did accomplish, even when these wells were first revealed, but I did forbear to impart that I had done to any my friends, for that I was certainly informed, that an ancient learned man of my familiar acquaintance, intended to write and publish the same argument: who for his deep learning grave judgement, and long experience, would no doubt have performed it in a far better sort, had not those his endeavours been prevented with untimely death it herefore the expectation of that promised intent now void and made frustrate, I having of late occasion to peruse again those my travels, and notes of my meditation of the afore said wells in Warwickshire, and imparting the same to some of my friends learned in the art of physic, was by them persuaded to digest in order these my conceits, and greatly encouraged to communicate the same to many, whereby they which hereafter mean to use these baths, may the better be informed how with judgement and discretion to proceed in the true use of them, and the learned may be occasioned further to examine the minerals and causes of their effects, whereby I doubt not but that the fame of them may be restored to their former credit. In regard and consideration hereof, and the rather that I may by this my enterprise be an occasion and means to stir up the devotion and liberality of such well disposed persons as are forward and zealous in furthering all such good intents and purposes, I thought it not amiss by publishing this brief discourse, to signify how good a deed it may be that some cost were bestowed about these wells, that the same may be more commodious to such as have occasion to use them. For at the first, all medicinal fountains are as naked springs, unhandsome to use, until some such personages have by God's providence been stirred up charitably to adorn the same with all conveniency. And as in other countries, men are greatly to be commended for their diligent cares in making all things about the baths convenient for the bathers, so truly some defect hereof is and may justly be found in this our realm of England. For they which have traveled, do find the baths in Italy and in divers parts of Germany far better ordered, than any here in England, and do find fault that even these our ancient baths of bath and Buckstan are so slenderly left without any great addressing of things necessary. Much more therefore these new discovered springs which are yet utterly unfurnished, do require the help of some able and well disposed, for their ornament and good devices meet for them which shall use them. And for as much as the purpose of mine attempt in this little pamphlet, tendeth only to the public benefit of my country, I most humbly request, that as that mighty Persian disdained not a cup of common water offered to him by a mean person, so your L. will vouchsafe to accept as a testimony of dutiful affection this little treatise of medicinal waters, which I present to your L. at this time, invited by the common usage of all men, in token of a good and prosperous new year, resting a continual beggar to the almighty, to send you long and prosperous life, with increase of all honourable preferment.  
Your honours most humble to be commanded WALTER BAYLY.   

¶ A brief discourse of certain Baths or Medicinal waters, in the County of Warwick, near unto a village called Newnam Regis.  
IT is well and truly said, and upon very sufficient ground & reason, by Aristotle the chiefest learned of all the heathen Philosophers, that Philosophy proceeded and took his beginning from wonder and admiration. For whereas in truth it is always seen that we doubt, and are altogether ignorant of the hidden causes of such events and things, which astonish and amaze us, the wit of man being naturally endued with an unsatiable desire of knowledge, bendeth all his force and industry to attain the perfect discovery of all such secret matters, never ceasing or surceasing painful travels with earnest search and inquiry, until he be fully satisfied and thoroughly resolved touching all causes & circumstances belonging to such effects as seemed strange, whereunto when he hath attained, the wondering ceaseth, the mind being satisfied with the apprehension of the causes. Wherefore that assertion of Pythagoras, that The beginning of Philosophy is to wonder at nothing, as Schegkius reporteth, doth not carry so good probability: the verity of that affirmation rather taketh place after Philosophy is attained, than in the beginning. For we are not occasioned to search out the causes and grounds of things known which are not strange unto us. No man laboureth about ordinary matters, each man traveleth to learn, hear, and know the causes of strange events, and of haps unusual. So that we may justly conclude with Aristotle, that admiration and wondering gave occasion of Philosophy, without the which no man is stirred with desire of knowledge: and after the wit of man is satisfied with understanding of the causes which breed astonishment, the woondering ceaseth, and the mind is marvelously pleased and delighted with the knowledge thereof. And as the verity of this position is abundantly confirmed in great variety of natural effects, which by means of their strangeness have been occasion to the learned in all ages to exercise their wits for the understanding & apprehension of them: so amongst all other things natural baths by means of their divers operations and virtues in curing of sundry maladies and diseases, have vehemently incensed & stirred up all diligent students which bestow their times in inquiry and search of natural causes, earnestly to pursue the knowledge of their mysteries, not ceasing until they have thoroughly conceived and apprehended all such intricate difficulties as unto them appertain. And of this very particular matter we have had a domestical familiar example offered unto us within these few years here in England. For it happened not long since in Warwickshire, near unto a Village called Newnam Regis, that a certain husbandman occupied in lopping of trees, chanced to receive a grievous wound in his hand, whereupon he repaired presently to a fountain which was not far off: after he had washed and cleansed the wound very well with the water, he presently found all pains of his hurt assuaged, and in short time the wound thoroughly closed & healed, that he needed no further help by the art of surgery, which effect he imparted to his neighbours, as a strange success: and it so amazed the hearers, that after, another having a deep wound in his heel with a seethe, came to the same fountain & recovered & was made hole only with the lotion of the same water. These and such rare cures done by these wells, astonished all the inhabitants thereabout. And the fame hereof occasioned great concourse and multitudes of diseased people to run into those parts, and many received help of their infirmities, as is verified by the testimonies of the worshipful. So that the fame hereof confirmed now by often experience, was at length so far spread, that such as were diseased, almost out of all parts of this land, came to those waters for remedy: whereupon all men having the novelty of the matter in admiration, many in that they had not observed such strange things to be done by common water, supposed some secret virtue to be imparted from God to these wells, whence such rare cures were miraculously performed far beside and beyond the ordinary course of nature. The learneder and wiser sort instructed with the grounds of natural Philosophy, after they understood the reports to be indeed not altogether fabulous and vain, but to carry much truth; to satisfy their woondering cogitations gave themselves to a farther search, to find out the true and natural causes of these events. For as it may be accounted mere impiety to detract any thing from the omnipotent power of God, to think his hand so shortened, that he is not aswell able to produce things miraculously now in these our days, without the mean of natural causes, as he did often in times past: so without derogation of God's power I trust, we may affirm, that in these our latter days, God for the most part doth in his actions put natural means as instruments, of which the Philosophers do consider as natural and inferior causes. For if we shall say that God without any natural course, supernaturally doth produce all things, we shall subvert all the grounds of Philosophy and spoil nature of all actions. Rather in mine opinion we are to embrace that saying in Genesis, that God doth cease from new creation of things, having given to them a nature and power, by the which they stand and fall. For if these second causes, as barren in themselves, should continually receive faculty and power from the almighty, that otherwise they might not be means in God's works: besides that, we shall take away all generation and corruption in this world, we must imagine that there is daily a new creation of things, from the which God long since hath ceased, as we read in the holy scriptures, when he did put all things created under a law, giving them a virtue and faculty, that the same might increase and multiply. This considered, I hope it will not be accounted impiety, by reasonable discourse to search out the natural means which God hath placed as causes of events. hereupon having heard the credible reports of rare and sundry cures done in divers persons by those Warwickshire wells, the strangeness and wonder thereof caused me to repair thither, the better to learn the verity & truth of that I heard. And after I had a few days observed the success and event of things, and seen as much with mine eyes as I had before hard with mine ears, I was in truth induced to believe that there was in those wells some more secret and hidden qualities than are found in common waters, and so was stirred up to inquire and to find out some natural cause of such effects. Wherein surely I was at the first greatly discouraged, considering how hard a matter it hath always been accounted amongst the learned, to find out the minerals of medicinal waters. For where many learned men have written of Baths, & bestowed much labour to find out their secret natures and mysteries, they have left in their monuments so dissident and divers opinions, that hardly two writers do deliver like judgement: such repugnancy of one matter, doth argue the hardness and difficulty of the same. And indeed the beginnings of all fountains, specially of those which are medicinal, are deeply seated and situated in the bowels of the earth, and the deep caves of hills, that nature may seem thereby to have an intent to hide the mysteries of them from the knowledge of man, which happily may be cause that after men have much laboured to understand and explain all causes and circumstances appertaining to Baths, yet always some thing happeneth, whereof sufficient cause was not given, whereby the authors have daily added to that, which was first expounded, and after many discourses, other events have fallen out, wherein man's wit could not in all points be satisfied, which hath given cause to many of all ages to attribute the operations of bathe waters unto the divine powers. For we read much written of the Baths of jupiter in Lybia, & of the Baths dedicated to the sun as of a divine nature amongst the Troglodytes, the Baths of Hercules accounted also a god, are much spoken of. The like superstition hath creeped in amongst Christians, for in the late ignorant age, men have dedicated some bathe waters to S. Anne, others to S. Gregory, others to S. Nicolas, others to S. Wynefride, others to S. Rumboll, and so others to divers other saints, through ignorance unskilful of the causes of the faculties of such waters, they supposing the effects done by them to come by the grace of some saint, did yield divine names unto the baths. Wherefore seeing it is apparent that the search of the secret natures of Baths in all ages hath been found very hard, and much hath troubled the learned, I trust men in this our time will not take occasion to carp and reprehend my labours, if I now in this discourse hap to pronounce of these late invented fountains, assertions contrary to some others opinions, or if I shall not now in this little pamphlet sufficiently explain the true minerals of these baths, or else shall with some show of probability establish some things which hereafter may be found other wise. For we find that where many writers in ancient time have largely discoursed of sundry baths in Italy, yet the natures and causes of the same do seem not sufficiently discussed, but that in this our time late writers do disallow of many positions of the former authors, and brag of better explanations found out, that a man may suppose it to be an impossible matter thoroughly to discourse of the conditions & circumstances of bathe waters. Therefore let it not be accounted strange if learned men do differ in opinion in consideration of these Warwickshire so late known baths: and the endeavours of men are to be allowed though many imperfections appear in a thing not yet sufficiently tried, which happily hereafter in time may be better established. And upon this ground trusting of the well acceptation of my good meaning in this treatise, I have taken encouragement to deliver mine opinion and knowledge of these Warwickshire waters as followeth.  

The Minerals from which the waters of these wells are supposed to draw their virtues.  
FOr the better discovery of the secret faculties of these waters, I have taken certain quantities of them, and distilled them: I have likewise examined them by filtrings and evaporations, and have always observed and found in the end, after perfect separation of all the waterish parts, that there remaineth a certain residence, in colour whitish, and in taste somewhat salt, which being put upon a glowing hot iron, doth forthwith become clearer and whiter. And although this be a property common to the Limestone, Plaster, and Alabaster, when they are mingled in bath waters, yet I am persuaded, 
Limestone  that only the Limestone, and neither of the other two, entereth the mixture of these waters, because neither Plaster, neither Alabaster are commonly found near unto these wells, but the Limestone is there frequent every where. And furthermore Plaistrie waters are accounted unwholesome to be drunken, but these are found healthful, and very commodious in divers affects for them which often use them. I have also farther probability hereof, for that there is in these waters some stone juice: for it is ordinarily observed, that if there be drowned, in them either wood, or any other such like solid substance, it is after a short time covered and overgrown with a kind of hard crust like a stone: for in very truth such things are not made stony, but outwardly imbrued with a stony crust. Moreover, whereas the aforesaid residence or grounds is found in taste to be salt, it is to be surmised that either salt or Niter have place in this mixture. But because it is the property of salt, if it be put to the fire to crackle and leap, and this residence being so used, doth only sparkle without any noise making, I would think it more probable, to refer it unto Niter, than unto salt, and for 
Niter.  this cause the rather, for that I have often noted it to have greater acrimony, & to pierce the tongue deeper, than salt is commonly wont to do: so that it is evidant, that Limestone and Niter are in substance in these waters: The conjectures of other things supposed to be mingled are not so manifest, yet there is great probability, that some portions of Alum are in these 
alum.  waters: for that it is observed, that if the water of these wells being heat, and cast upon new pewter vessels, they will yield to them the colour or tincture of Alum. Moreover, if you die common water with any black colour, and power the same upon the sediment of this bath, the dark colour of that water will wax brighter and more clear; and this effect by all writers is accounted proper to Alum. There 
Iron.  is no small suspicion, that some parts of iron also are mixed with these waters. For daily much iron over is found everywhere in places near adjoining. And hard by these fountains, a kind of clay is found of colour like to rusty iron. Likewise if you cast strong vinegar upon the grounds of these waters, being separated by such means as is aforesaid, you shall see the dross floating in the top to resemble iron. But besides all these probabilities I am the rather induced to credit, that this metal hath place in these waters, for that the use of them is daily seen to be very profitable in affects of the Spleen, Reins, and Bladder: for I myself being there present, am an eye witness, that one, which by long obstruction had a scirrous spleen many years, by the use of these waters recovered his perfect health. Likewise I did see another, which being subject to a strangury, by means of a stone in his bladder, when no other help could serve, the drinking of this water broke the stone, and the man was in short time healed. The like success have I there seen in divers other affects, as namely in women's whites, in the gonorrhoeical passion, and in all inward exulcerations, both of the reins and the bladder, so that I may boldly conclude, that these baths are not utterly void of iron: and I could heartily wish that they did more abound with this metal, for many excellent effects which were consequently to be expected hereof.   

The general qualities and temperament of the water of these wells.  
FOrasmuch as the mineral which beareth the chiefest sway in these waters, is the Limestone, after the which we find as ingredients of inferior sort, and less portions, Niter, Iron, and alum: it evidently appeareth that these waters have great force and faculty to dry, and somewhat to cool. For the Limestone (as Agricola writeth in his book of minerals) hath a drieng quality, which is increased by the mixture of the Niter, Iron, and alum, which all have force to dry, so that I may reasonably conclude, that this bath drieth to the farthest of the second degree, howbeit the cooling and refrigeration extendeth not so far, for that the excess of this quality is mitigated and repressed by the heat of Niter. Alum also is supposed to have in it some hot parts, notwithstanding the parts which heat, are not so many nor so great, that the same may be comparable or equal to the cooling portions of all the rest, but that we may justly conclude, that these baths do in faculty dry strongly, and somewhat cool. Touching the second faculties of the minerals of these waters, we find iron to have an astringent and corroborating force, very convenient in diseases of the liner and spleen: Niter, to be abstersive, resolving, discussing, extenuating and cutting of gross and clammish humours: and alum not only to be astringent, but also to have force to absterge and cleanse: so that hereof the discreet physician may plainly see the causes why these waters do manifestly cure wounds and ulcers as well external as internal, and do good in many other infirmities. Neither is it to be marveled that these waters do heal sicknesses which are contrary and repugnant: for by this discourse it appeareth, that they stand of contrary things differing in qualities, whereby they may produce contrary and dissident actions.   

Particular diseases which may be cured by the use of these waters.  
WHereas the use of these waters is generally convenient in such maladies which are hot and moist: they must needs in special do good in inflammations of the eyes, in excessive bleeding, and overlarge flux of women's terms, in their whites, in the gonorrhoeical passion, in shortness of breathing, and in sundry pectoral diseases, in obstructions, and other affects of the spleen, in gouts, in suffusions, and divers like imperfections of the eyes, in difficulty of hearing, in weakness and loathing of the stomach, and overmuch laxity of the gums, being used as a lotion, in the colic passion proceeding from sharp humours, in the bloody flux, in the worms, in the pissing evil, in the stone, in the hemorrhoids & egress of the fundament, in the headache, rheum, and in affects of the nerves and sinews, and likewise in such deformities as happen unto the skin, as ringwoormes, scabs, and external ulcers. And the truth of the premises, common experience hath confirmed unto us.   

The use of these Wels.  
COncerning the use of the waters of these wells, I do not doubt, but that in time, farther experience will best teach the true use of them. In the mean, we have sufficient proof, that the same do good both inwardly drunken, and also outwardly applied. Therefore it shall not be amiss to mention some convenient rules and orders for the use of these Baths, according to the precepts of our ancient writers, set down to be observed in all Baths, which may easily be applied to these waters as occasion shall serve. First, therefore that we may the better know when, and in what diseases these Baths either inwardly are to be drunken, or outwardly to be used by lotion, it is to be understood, that Bath waters do only good to these parts, by the which they do pass, and which they foment; as Fallop noteth in his book de aquis medicatis. And bathe waters are said to foment the parts of the body, not only such as they do in substance touch, but all others to whom they do impart their vapours, & faculties. So that outward parts of the affected, do receive good, when by lotion they are washed with these waters, the inward parts take most comfort by drinking of them: so the bowels, and those members are best cured, by which the waters do pass, or at the least do impart, their vapours and virtues: wherefore when the same are taken to cure the diseases of the lungs, liver, spleen, reins, kidneys, bladder, etc. there must be singular heed taken, that the waters may be brought to pass through the body by these parts diseased, and so may be avoided by the urine, which will be done by adding some thing to the bathe water, according to the affect & the situation of the part affected, as shall be made more manifest hereafter. In the mean let us consider what things are to be observed in the drinking of bathe waters.   

Certain things to be observed before the drinking of the water of these wells.  
WHen the drinking of medicinal waters is thought expedient, we are to observe some things before we take them, some whilst we are drinking of them, and also some other things after they are fully received. Concerning the first, the discreet physician is to be conferred withal, whether the use of these waters be convenient for the present affect and disease or no: because every bathe water is not a remedy for every sickness: but the learned physician will easily satisfy any man in these points, by comparing the nature and conditions of the disease, with the faculties of the water. The physician likewise is to be consulted, whether the party himself which purposeth to use these medicinal waters, be for other respects in case apt to receive them: for they are not without good consideration to be offered either unto children, or unto old persons. The habit also and state of the body is to be regarded, for it fortuneth sometimes that some one part may receive good by the bathe, & others may be hurt: as if a man hath hot kidneys, to temper them with these waters may be thought convenient, yet if the constitution of his body together with his stomach be cold and weak, in such case these waters are not rashly to be ministered. Likewise if the patiented have an ague, we may not but with great wariness counsel these waters. And where it is needful that the party which drinketh of them, do in reasonable sort exercise him-himselfe, during the time he drinketh, it is not convenient to advise the same to one which can by no means exercise his body. It is also diligently to be provided, that suchas use the Baths be not inwardly subject to obstructions, and that the veins be large, and the ways open. For if the veins be very little, that the bathe water cannot pass, many inconveniences thereof may ensue: therefore diligent care is to be had, that the veins be large, and the passages open. The consideration of the time to drink bathe waters is not of least moment. For albeit some are of opinion that medicinal waters may at all times be drunken, notwithstanding it is of the best learned concluded, that the winter season is altogether unfit to drink any medicinal water. And where all such waters are found in their fountains actually, either hot or cold, it is best to use the springs actually hot in temperate seasons, as in the spring and the fall of the leaf. They which are actually cold are taken with best success, in hotter weather. So experience hath taught us that these Warwikshire wells, which are both actually and potentially cold, are drunken with most commodity in the hottest time of the summer, and that the hotter and drier the summer time is, the more wholesome, and of the better effect these waters are. I am not ignorant that in consideration of the time to use bathe waters, the learned do dispute whether the same may be ministered in the leap year, for that our authors herein have written diversely, and pronounced contrary opinions, it seemeth to me not necessary by long discourse hereof, to detain the reader: only this I say, as I do not think but medicinal waters may be used in leap years, when great occasion urgeth, so for my part I would not rashly counsel any to use them in the leap years, unless great cause do urge the use of them. It is an old observation that in rainy weather bathe waters are not so wholesome: whereby we are to think that the constitution of the air present for this our purpose is not to be neglected, wherein the Italian writers are so curious, that they do admonish that no man should drink bath waters in moist seasons, nor in moist places: in which respect they do dissuade the drinking of the waters of Aponum at the fountains. Much more then, we ought to be careful hereof, in taking of these Warwickshire waters, for that this our country is much more subject to blustering winds, rain, and storms, and also because these waters are actually cold in their fountains. Wherefore I do in anywise advise my countrymen which have in purpose to use these wells, to forbear them in wet and rainy seasons: for the rain water being compounded and mixed with the other, maketh them either altogether unwholesome, or at the least less profitable, and effectual, than otherwise they would be. Last of all, this precept is general, that before the drinking of any medicinal waters, they which are to use them, aught to have their bodies well prepared and purged: surely I think it most necessary, that we in England omit not the like practice upon the like occasion. For whereas we do abound commonly with many and corrupt humours in our first veins, we must diligently see that these be thoroughly removed: and here in this place I cannot pass over with silence the ordinary practice of some of our physicians, which think it sufficient to send their patients to the Baths with some one sleight purgation, where as in truth we are not to stand upon, once, twice, or thrice purging of such which are to drink medicinal waters, but to see that their bodies be exactly purged. And where this precept is accounted most necessary in all Baths and countries, we ought very religiously to observe the same here in England, and the rather when these waters are drunken, which do spring actually cold, and for that cause with more difficulty do pass through their bodies which receive them.   

Of the manner of drinking medicinal waters, and what things are to be observed whiles they are drunken.  
FIrst in the morning let the patiented after he is risen, before he taketh this drink, use some light exercise, as walking, or such like, until his inward heat be well stirred up, and then let him discharge himself of all excrements, as perfectly as he can▪ which being done, let him take his drink, but in such sort, that he quaffeth not up all the whole quantity which he is to take, at once: but let him divide it into divers draughts, & so drink it by little and little, walking somewhat between every draft, and yet having this regard, that within the space of an hour and a half, the whole quantity which is prescribed unto him be received. For by these means his stomach will not be overcharged, but will be well able to digest the whole quantity of water received in such sort, that it will be the sooner perfectly dispatched through the body, and the party apt and ready to take fresh at his ordinary season.  
2. Secondly it is meetest to drink these waters in the morning the stomach being empty.  
3 Thirdly, I think it very necessary, that after the water is all drunken, the sick man have good regard for the hour and time, when he is to take his meat. And whereas this cannot be certainly determined, and set down, because of the secret and unknown variety of divers bodies, it is diligently to be considered, whether the greatest part of the water received that morning be already past thorough him, for if either the whole or the greatest part of the water be rid out, he may securely take his meat. The like he may do also although neither of these two happen, if he find his urine which at the first came from him watery and whitish, to be now somewhat citrin and of higher colour, for this is an evident sign that nature hath reserved the residue of these waters unto certain uses, & that she will expel them either the next night or the day following. In like manner if nature disburdening herself of these waters by siege, doth manifestly cease from so doing, the party which receiveth them may safely take meat. But besides these observations, commonly and for the most part, the distance of four hours is accounted to suffice between the taking of the bath water and dinner.  
4 Whereas divers would not have this drink to be taken every day, but every second day: I can not in any wise consent with them, for by means of a day of intermission, nature would prove idle and remiss in discharging herself of this burden, whereas otherwise if she be daily stirred up and provoked by daily drinking of the water, she will be far more painful and diligent in ridding and avoiding the same out of the body, and therefore I do more commend the drinking of them every day, than every other day.   

The quantity of water which is to be drunken, and how in divers cases it is diversly to be used.  
IN drinking of medicinal waters no certain quantity can be set down which may serve generally for all men, but the discreet physician which knoweth thoroughly the qualities of the bath, the constitution of the sick party, and the nature of the disease: may easily prescribe a fit and convenient quantity. After that this is determined, ancient authors would have this to be observed, that the sick party should begin his drinking in lesser quantity, and so proceed increasing it daily until the first portion be doubled, at what time he is to diminish it again, until he return by little and little unto the quantity, which he received the first day: as for examples sake, if six pints be appointed, the greatest quantity to be drunken, they would have the patiented drink the first day three pints, the second day four pints, the third day five pints, and the fourth day, six pints, and to proceed no further, but to return by detracting from this quantity daily by little and little, as by drinking the fift day five pints, the sixth day four, the seventh day three, and so to give over. Although this was the custom among the ancient, yet in this our country & in these baths, I think it not convenient so religiously to observe this order. For where as we are not accustomed to drink water, we are not to charge our stomachs with such great quantities of the same: How beit our diseases oftentimes require such quantity of it, that if we should surcease to drink of these waters, after we have risen to the doubling of the first days quantity, we should reap either little commodity by the same, or none at al. Wherefore use and experience hath taught us to begin herein, with a less quantity, and to increase it daily, not only to the doubling of the first portion, but far beyond, until we come to that which the nature of the disease exacteth. For as I have oftentimes observed in the drinking of these Warwikshire waters, when the greatest quantity which we purpose to give for one day, is eight pints, so we begin not with four: for almost no man is able at the first to brook so much, but rather we begin with two pints, or at the most with three, and so go forward every day, adding one pint, until we come to eight, (not standing upon the proportion of doubling) beyond the which quantity, I will not counsel any man to adventure. If there be any man that hath so strong a stomach, that he is able to receive four pints the first day: I do not dislike, but that he may begin the first day with four, and so following the manner of the ancient writers, proceed until he come to the double quantity: but because I have observed that the most part of men are not able to receive so great quantities, my advise is, rather that they take a less portion the first day: as namely two or three pints, and so from thence ascend until they come to eight. And this have I found to be the safest kind of using these waters: which although it passeth slowly through the body, so that in many days it is not rid out of divers, before they come to the drinking of four or five pints in a morning▪ yet do I find no great inconvenience to follow hereof, because those parties purging in the night season very liberally by urine, do no doubt discharge great quantity of this water withal. And for that I noted always, that these waters do easily pass through man's body, when they are drunken to the quantities of four or five pints in a morning: I have oftentimes appointed such as have had strong stomachs, to begin the first day with four pints, and so according to the custom of the ancient, to double, until they come to eight, and from thence by little and little to descend, until they return to four. I must confess, there have been divers, whereof I have known some, to have drunken ten pints in a morning, and some twelve: but for my part I can not in any wise either commend, or like of these excessive quantities. For whereas these waters are both actually and potentially cold, such over liberal drinking of them hath brought many to such extreme coldness of stomach, that they have been driven for a long time after to use Aqua vitae and hot things to recover their former heat and strength again. Wherefore it is safest to consist in a mediocrity, and never to adventure to drink above six, or at the uttermost eight pints: & when the diseased party is come to the greatest portion, it is not good to persist any time in the same, but strait, even the next day, to descend to a lesser quantity: and when by an orderly descending he is come to four, or to three pints, let him by and by give over, although he began the first day with two pints, for otherwise nature will hardly be able to avoid those less quantities which are last taken. Whereas Fallopius would have us to drink all medicinal waters actually hot, and would have such for that purpose to be heat, which in their fountains are found cold, I can not in any wise like of this his advise: for all men for the most part can better both receive and contain these waters cold, then hot, especially when any great quantity of the same is taken. Furthermore in heating of such bath waters, many of the mineral spirits are altered and evaporated. I do better therefore allow of drinking these waters actually cold as they are taken out of the springs.  
It shall not be amiss to mingle for divers purposes, some things with these waters, when they are to be drunken: as for example, when we will have them easily to pass through the liver and the reins, the adding of sugar, or some convenient julep, by means of their sweetness, will be occasion of their speedier conveyance unto the farther distant places of the body. So likewise, when we will have these waters to have free passage through the guts, we may add some little quantity of salt unto them, for hereby they will the better lose the belly: hereof I have had in these waters good experience. For at my being at these fountains, a certain man well known unto me, coming to these wells for the cure of a Strangury, caused by a stone in his bladder, wherewith he was long time troubled, and drinking daily great quantities of this water, he fell into a looseness, avoiding the water by his belly: which when I understood, I caused him to mingle sugar to every draft of the water, by which means, the water had passage by urine, and so the party received cure of his infirmity.  
At the same time, it fortuned another man to drink plentifully of this water, and avoiding the same by urine only, grew to be very costive and much bound in his belly, who requiring of me remedy for the same, I advised him to add to every draft, such a portion of salt, as might make the water a little brackish, whereby his belly was well loosed, without the help of any other means. So that for these aforesaid respects, it shall be always expedient to season this water with one or both of these two condiments: and surely the stomach doth better like and endure these waters by these mixtures. Notwithstanding such men which have their conduits so open, that they need no such help, for the easy conveyance or passage of the water through their bodies, we may prescribe this water sincere and simple without any such mixture, except either the party affected, or the disease shall require the same. How long and how many days the diseased person is to continue the drinking of these waters, it is easily known by the quantity which is prescribed: for so many days only are to be spent therein, as by increasing and diminishing the whole prescribed quantity of the water (according to the manner aforesaid) may be received, which is accomplished for the most part in ten or twelve days.  
There is no man so rude and ignorant, which knoweth not that those which mind to reap any benefit by these baths, aught for the present time especially to feed upon such meats as yield good juice, and are of easy concoction, whereof there are divers sorts in daily use, which to rehearse in this place were superfluous. But one precept of the learned Fallopius I can not but here commend, who adviseth us in this case to feed more liberally at dinner, then at supper, because (saith he) an overlarge supper oftentimes in the night following overchargeth the stomach, and so the next morrow leaveth such crudities in that part, that the party is unready to receive the water at his due hour: for those crudites must be concocted or avoided before the party may drink the bathe water the day following: so necessary it is to make a light supper. Wherefore the usage and manner of our countrymen in England is utterly to be condemned, which whiles they are using the baths, have no regard to frugality of diet, but both in their dinner and supper so far exceed, and serve from this former rule, that it is not to be marveled at, that there be so few in our country, which ordinarily receive any commodity or health by means of the baths. I admonish them therefore to be more sparefull in their diet, and so they shall gain health to their bodies, and comfort to their purse.   

Things to be observed after that the drinking of these medicinal waters is fully passed.  
IT oftentimes falleth out that the diseased persons which have used medicinal waters, do not presently find the profit and commodity acquired by them, but long after when they have left the use of them, and are gone from the baths; so that many times they go thence with sorrowful hearts, supposing that they have not received that goodness which they hoped for, yet many days after, perhaps not before the space of a month be expired, they feel what good the baths have done to them: whereby we are to conjecture, that the virtues and qualities, of the bath waters do remain a long time in the members and parts of the body, yielding strength unto them, by which means the commodities obtained by the baths do appear long time after the use of them: in which consideration it is requisite, that they which have used medicinal waters, do for a good season after, carefully and orderly govern themselves, that the virtues and properties of the waters may be reserved in the body, until they have done their effects and operations. Therefore it is to be wished, that all bathers, after the use of the baths, for a good season do keep a good diet in feeding upon meats which are easy to be digested, & do breed a good juice: as after the taking of the bathe waters the party may not feed too sparefully, so he must beware of overgorging: let him therefore keep a mean in his feeding, give himself to pleasant disports, and not overmuch to expose his body to cold air, but keep himself reasonably warm. And above all things he must eschew lascivious and venereous sports, which the learned do forbid after the use of baths by the space of a month, as a thing most pernicious.   
FINIS.